Rivals In Love (Love In Montana Book 4)

Brian created a scene when he returned home. Just as Georgia had expected, he took out all his anger on her. She was grounded for a week for no fault of hers. Strangely her dad and Greg too supported him.

"I don't understand how she could even talk to that Wilson boy? I've never been so insulted in all my life," growled Brian, glaring at Georgia. She was bursting with lots of arguments going on in her head. How could he blame anyone else for the insult that he faced? He himself was responsible for it. It was illegal to enter an educational institution and beat up the students ten years younger to him for no reason. His criminal tendencies could work elsewhere but not in an educational institution. In fact, he should consider himself lucky that he didn't land up in jail but she couldn't say a word to him. She knew his nature. He would unnecessarily flare up and could physically assault her too.

"Exactly, dad. Why does she have to continue at that college where the Wilsons are, " said Greg. 

"I don't talk to them at all. Why should I need to change my college because of this stupid reason? The Wilsons don't own the college," protested Georgia. 

"Then was Hugh's mom lying?" Charged Greg, his eyes flashing with anger just like his brother's. 

"I have no idea whom she'd seen but can you really go into an educational institution and fight on the basis of what she told you? If she was so confident, then why didn't she click a picture of us together?" Said Georgia. 

"Brian I think she has a point here.  Let's drop this issue. Georgia this is the last warning to you. If you're talking to that Wilson boy, then stop immediately. Next time I won't give you a chance to speak. I'll stop your education, " warned her dad. Georgia looked heartbroken but she didn't speak up against her dad. She knew the consequences too well. 

"Dad, won't you punish her for the insult I had to bear because of her?" Asked Brian. 

"Right. Georgia you're grounded for a week. You can't get out of the house. No college, no outing, nothing," said her dad, walking out of the room. Georgia was dumbfounded by his words. How could he punish her for no fault of hers? Talking to Ryan wasn't a crime. She ran to her room feeling nauseated by the smug expressions on Brian and Greg's faces. They couldn't be her own brothers. They were really mentally sick. 

Ryan didn't see Georgia at college the entire week. He felt a little worried about her but there wasn't much he could do. Everyone at college had only one topic to discuss. The fight at the football field with Georgia's criminal brother. 

It was Monday again and Ryan eagerly waited to see Georgia although at the back of his head he remembered Brian's last threat. He wouldn't talk to her and stay away as promised but he could at least see her. She finally arrived, five minutes before the class would begin and went to sit at her usual desk. Her eyes locked with Ryan's as usual but he looked away in case she came over to apologize on her brother's behalf. He didn't want anything to do with her. 

Georgia was hurt by everyone's strange behavior at college. The moment she had entered, she could hear them talking behind her back, she could see their judgmental looks. It seemed as if suddenly she had become famous for all the wrong reasons. No one spoke to her directly but the sassy remarks thrown her way hurt her a lot. Even Macy ran in the opposite direction and Ryan looked away when her eyes met his. Georgia felt as if she was being judged and punished for no fault of hers. It hurt her and she was unable to concentrate on anything that was being taught. 

At home too her mom's health deteriorated yet her dad didn't admit her to the hospital. Georgia wanted to take her to the hospital but she didn't have the money to bear the expenses of her treatment. Her mom forbade her to inform aunt Dorothy and Georgia couldn't go against her mom's wishes. The last time her aunt was here, a bitter family misunderstanding had ensued which caused their relationship to be strained. Her dad had insulted aunt Dorothy and she refrained from visiting Fordsville since then. 

It was their Applied Nutrition class and their professor William Harrisburg informed them about the research work that they needed to do. The research had to be done along with a partner and the next few minutes the professor informed them of the marking scheme.

"You need to visit the farm we're collaborating with this year, Alpine Dairy Farm. You have to collect your data from there and proceed with the research. Give me the names of your partners by tomorrow and I'll assign you your topics," said professor Harrisburg. 

After the professor left, everyone was busy getting a partner for themselves except Georgia. She sat quietly, staring into her mobile as no one would want to be her partner. She saw Macy approaching someone else. She might as well do the research work on her own. Ryan declined everyone's offer. He had no wish to pair up with anyone else as his eyes were glued to Georgia. It looked as if the very wish to live had been wrenched out of her body. She hardly looked up at anyone. She seemed lost in her mobile phone, typing away. 

College was over for the day and Georgia took a cab to go home. Thankfully her brothers didn't come to pick her up. Ryan sighed for the hundredth time in the day. He just couldn't stay away from her. He had to talk to her. She was hurting too much by everyone's behavior. Maybe she was being ill-treated at home too.  

"How are you mom?" Asked Georgia, feeding her mom some of the soft porridge that she had made for her. The whole time she looked after her mom and did the housework. She hardly found any time to study these days. Their housekeeper, Meg only looked after her dad and her brothers needs, cooking for them, doing their laundry and other stuff. Georgia didn't like her at all since she had seen her creeping out of her dad's bedroom many times in the night. Ever since her mom fell ill, her dad had her shift to another room, out of his bedroom. Georgia didn't tell her mom anything since it would upset her further. 

"Better dear. Have you eaten anything since you returned from college?" She asked. 

"Yes mom. I had made myself a sandwich, " she told her. "Mom, let's go to aunt Dorothy's house. You'll get better," Georgia tried to coax her.

"You don't understand, Georgia. She hasn't kept any relationship with me for the last few years, ever since that misunderstanding. I'm thankful to her for taking care of you despite everything but I can't dump myself upon her as well," said her mom feebly. Georgia sighed. She knew that her mom wouldn't agree due to the strained relationship between her and her sister's family. 

"But Doctor Jonathan's medicine isn't working, mom," she protested. "Let me call someone better, " said Georgia. 

"I don't have the money and please don't take it up with your father. He doesn't want me to live," said her mom. "He wants me to release him so that he can remarry Meg," said her mom bitterly. Meg was ten years younger than her mom and problems started since the day she had started working for them. However, her mom couldn't throw her out since Georgia's dad fancied her. 

Georgia hugged her mom. Her heart was heavy with grief. She hadn't wanted her mom to know about it but it seemed like she knew everything. But she couldn't just sit back and wait for her health to deteriorate. She would take up some part time job to bear her mom's medical expenditures. 

"But I want you to live, mom. I'll take up some part time job and get you treatment, " said Georgia with determination. 

The next day, Georgia went to college. She would have to find herself a part time job after college. It was their much dreaded Applied Nutrition class and she suddenly remembered that she didn't have a partner. One of the students who had created a list of students and their partners, stood up and handed it over to the professor. 

He scanned through the list first and then called out names to the students and their partners and allotted them a project topic. 

"Georgia McLean, you don't have any partner?" Asked the professor, looking up. Georgia stood up. 

"No sir. I'll do the project on my own," she told the professor. 

"Are you sure?" Asked the professor mockingly. 

"I'll be her partner sir since I'm the only one who's left out," said Ryan, unable to stop himself. He hadn't chosen anyone yet and had forgotten about it completely today.